I thought it would be interesting to hear what each of us would do if we had that sum of money at our disposal, and the wife either
(a) didn't know about it
OR
(b) for some peculiar reason wasn't objecting

Would it be a new 'puter? mic? monitors and sub woofers? mixing desk? control board? express interface? or W.H.Y (what have you)
Let us all know what you lust after.
I was looking at a really good mic (Neuman U87) because a good mic never goes out of date and is always a real pleasure to use
I am sure there are many great ideas out there .....

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Sam

Well me and the missus were just chatting about the Tenori-On. I wouldn't mind one of them.

I wouldn't mind upgrading my Mac as well, to an Intel one.

I'm also currently thinking about the TC Electronic BMC 2, which if any one here has, can they let me know what they think!? It seems to have been missed by most magazines for review. The other place claims it is on a par with some high end DA converters plus it is a monitor controller. I'm looking for something good to get my mixer out of the chain and unfortunatley missed this when it was only £300 or thereabouts, now it is £550.

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http://soundcloud.com/richie-royale
http://www.mixcrate.com/richieroyale

Right now I'd probably chuck it all at hiring some nicer spaces to record the upcoming album in. Or for gear, a nicer bass and a decent small tube guitar amp. Though I suspect the other half *would* find out and insist I quietly forget about it and let swell the wedding fund!

I'd also like a U87Ai to enable me to use a pair for mid/side!

But back on planet Earth I think the studio computer is going to need upgrading this year...


In the meantime, if anyone has a JP8 in need of a loving home for 2 grand...

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An Eagle for an Emperor, A Kestrel for a Knave.

You're right, the BMC2 does look a very interesting product with some nicely thought out features. No idea why we haven't seen one for review yet... but I've flagged it up with the editorial team to see if we can get hold of one.

Hugh

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Technical Editor, Sound On Sound

2 X Studer A807

1 X new purpose built audio only PC. (no more macs for me after this one)

beer

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I'm All Ears.

Hugh, It has been around for a little while as well. It looks ideal for me, I don't need lots of options, just a good knob(!) and improved DAC, helping me get the mixer out of the mix. It has some neat functions as well, such as the automatic level reference button:

Quote:

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BMC-2 also puts user-definable reference levels at your fingertips. You simply hit the front panel-mounted REF button and BMC-2 will attenuate the output to a user-defined sound pressure level, so reference level monitoring is always just a single button-press away.

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http://soundcloud.com/richie-royale
http://www.mixcrate.com/richieroyale

couple of api 512c's or similar, and another nt55, and some new strings.

I actually had this for real last year but with 5K (inheritance) bought a Musciman stingray classic 4 and paid off the car loan...*sigh*

I *did* get a chunk of money last year as a legacy, enough for me to treat myself to an Apogee Ensemble and a U87ai, both second-hand so they didn't come to much more than £2k together. I'm very happy with them both.

CC

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Put the fun back into dysfunctional.
Mr Punch's Studio

It's a no-brainer.

I just wish you'd said 3k, then I could have got one long enough to reach my DAB radio.

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Mixing Secrets for the Small Studio
A complete mixing method based around the techniques of the world's most famous producers.

Jeepers Mike ... you have expensive tastes
Glad to say my system wouldn't merit such luxuries
However ... rules are rules and you can have one, but NOT the extra grand LOL

CC ...... would you recommend the U87 as a good buy?

Edited by whis4ey (01/02/12 07:15 PM)

Quote jaminem:

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bought a Musciman stingray classic 4 and paid off the car

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one of which is looking forward to snow, OH so much ......


the other is quite nice really.....

Quote Idris Y Draig:

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Quote jaminem:

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bought a Musciman stingray classic 4 and paid off the car

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one of which is looking forward to snow, OH so much ......


the other is quite nice really.....

---

Now now, it is the ultimate driving machine as well you know.

***disclaimer*** ultimate driving machine status only available in perfect driving conditions

If I didn't have one already...



£1,600 (not including import duty and other tax robbing bollocks to the UK) and a thing of sonic beauty and aural magnificence.

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Website / Music Lab Machines / Blog

i'd probably get yet another Mac.....





a used/refurbed 17" late model MBP most likely,....

I'd want to spent £3-400 giving my fav guitar some TLC (refret and a new floyd rose).

I can get new mixer for about a grand, that leaves me with £600 for something synthy maybe a Dave Smith tetra or Waldorf Blofeld.

When are you sending me the money ?

A pair of MKH50s.............

Bob

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www.bickerton.co.nz

Quote:

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When are you sending me the money ?

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Now now ... don't be impatient ... you haven't won yet nor has your rich aunt in America yet passed on
Patience, patience



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Sam

Quote Bob Bickerton:

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A pair of MKH50s.............

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Good call.

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I'm All Ears.

Quote ken long:

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Quote Bob Bickerton:

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A pair of MKH50s.............

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Good call.

---

So Ken, tell me what you'd use them for.....................

Bob

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www.bickerton.co.nz

Right now, I'd spend it on a few weeks away. A change of scenery, fresh company, meeting up with friends I haven't seen in a while. And some simple, affordable treats... A couple of bottles of Jack and some nice meals.

Basically, re-charge the batteries.

Andy

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When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro.

Quote whis4ey:

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CC ...... would you recommend the U87 as a good buy?

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Well, the Elf is the poet of the U87, but now I've had it for a while I think he's right. It is a thoroughly good and useful mic. The saving I made by buying it second-hand was significant, although of course there is always a risk with so doing. I came out on the right side in that mine was in immaculate condition.

What I'm finding is that if the recording I'm making involves several tracks then I'll almost certainly try the U87 as my first choice mic. If it's unaccompanied voice then it tends to be even split between the U87 and the other expensive mic I've got, which is a Gemini III.

All in all, it's a relief to find that pricey mics do after all bring something to the party (or maybe I'm desperate to hear a difference after having paid out all that money ).

CC

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Put the fun back into dysfunctional.
Mr Punch's Studio

RCF tops, 1U digital power amp, and maybe an AC15 guitar amp if there's anything left.

FWIW I had a somewhat similar dilemma about 9 years ago, before I got into live sound. I'd just done a few months of stupid hours, and our team got a bonus. The money went on a Lowden O32.

Well, as my wife's just received a letter from a nice man in China telling her she's gonna get 17.6 million dollars due to a nonexistent relative who died while trekking over there, then I'll happily share it with you all and pass on your individual £2000s.

...now, all I have to do is send the nice man my bank details. Where's that paperwork...

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"We knocked on the doors of Hell's darker chambers..." But no-one answered, so we went to the pub instead.

Mixing tuition - the studio's got pretty much everything I can justifiably say I 'need', but I still can't mix for toffee, so it'd be as many sessions as 2k would buy with an excellent mixer, who's willing to pass on some knowledge.

Quote:

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If it's unaccompanied voice then it tends to be even split between the U87 and the other expensive mic I've got, which is a Gemini III.

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I never was too sure about buying an SE Electronics mic
I have toyed with the idea of an AKG 414 though
My only 'decent' mic is a Beyer MC 740, which gives great results.
Just not sure whether I would be justified in going for one or a U87 (fair difference in price)
Like Zenguitar, maybe I will take a holiday and think about it some more

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Sam


Edited by whis4ey (02/02/12 11:31 AM)

I cannot think of anything that would currently allow me to work better but if I had to choose today it would be another compressor, not for compression but tone, something coloured in flavour.

SafeandSound Mastering
online mastering stduio

Quote Bob Bickerton:

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Quote ken long:

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Quote Bob Bickerton:

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A pair of MKH50s.............

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Good call.

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So Ken, tell me what you'd use them for.....................

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Showing off mainly, Bob.


No, I've hired a few 40s and 80s over the years but haven't done enough location work in a good while to make them viable (without the proposed £2K -which would still mean second hand Pah!)

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I'm All Ears.

Happened to me for real as well this year, so has already been done. Biggest single expense and it was unintended as well, intially was the Imac following the PC going *pop* Had it not been the case, would probably have forgone the Alesis DM8 and stuff like Ozone V, the Waves CLA pack, Arturia Analog Factory and stuff like that.

Have had the money, but not the nerve for (nor the talent to make best use of) an SSL Nucleus...

Quote JPH:

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Have had the money, but not the nerve for (nor the talent to make best use of) an SSL Nucleus...

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I got the money and the nerve to shell out on a Nucleus last summer. The talent is (hopefully) following...

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http://www.soundcloud.com/sambrox
seedy.dk

Quote Mike Senior:

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It's a no-brainer.

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Hmmm.. that does look nice but I would have to upgrade my kettle to really justify such a purchase.

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'These are my principles and if you don't like them...well, I have others' (Groucho Marx) www.ownlittleworld.net/tunes.html

I'd use it to pay someone to get on with the 'must be done' stuff on the house and leave me with a bit of time to actually play with the toys I've already got!

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It wasn't me!
(Well, actually, it probably was)

I'm currently lusting after a pair of akg 414s. though after skinting myself of some adam A7X last month I have vowed not to buy any more gear this year. Wonder how long that will last...

Quote chew_rocket:

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I have vowed not to buy any more gear this financial year.

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There you go, just fixed that dilemma for you

Andy

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When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro.

Thanks for the reminder that I better get my books in order. If I had 2000 I would pay someone to do that for the rest of my career. Hehe.